The wife of Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, marked the New Year by extending goodwill to newborns and their mothers at two major hospitals in the state. On January 1, 2025, she visited the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), where she personally donated gifts and showed support to the babies born on New Year's Day.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Prof. Justina Jumbo, Lady Fubara’s visit to UPTH was a gesture of solidarity and encouragement for the newborns and their families. Prof. Jumbo emphasized that the visit was meant to celebrate the babies, share in their joy, and show the state's commitment to supporting vulnerable citizens.
During the visit, Lady Fubara expressed gratitude for the safe arrival of Little Miss Jaja, the first New Year baby at UPTH, and the other newborns. Speaking to reporters, she affirmed that the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara remains dedicated to the welfare of the less privileged, particularly mothers and children in the state. “As we step into 2025, we are committed to ensuring that vulnerable groups receive the care and support they deserve,” she remarked.
Lady Fubara's goodwill continued at RSUTH, where she was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Barrister Uchechukwu Uriri. At RSUTH, she celebrated with Miss Godswill Vanessa Accra-Jaja, the first baby born on New Year's Day, and four other newborns. In addition, she distributed various items to several babies born recently, spreading festive cheer to families in the hospital’s postnatal ward.
"I am privileged to celebrate with the babies born on such a significant day,” Lady Fubara said. “It is important to recognize and support these special children as they start their journey in the new year.” Her visit highlighted her passion for community service and her ongoing commitment to nurturing the most vulnerable members of society.
Both hospital officials expressed their gratitude for Lady Fubara’s gesture. Prof. Datonye Alasia, the representative of the Chief Medical Director at UPTH, praised her visit and assured that the hospital remains committed to providing top-quality healthcare. Likewise, Prof. Chizindu Alikor, the Chief Medical Director at RSUTH, acknowledged the Rivers State government’s ongoing investment in healthcare, including the recent employment of 1,000 new healthcare workers, which has significantly improved the quality of service at the hospital.
At RSUTH, the team celebrated the New Year with a total of 33 babies in the postnatal ward, including five who were born on January 1st. Special gifts were given to all the babies, with extra attention and presents for the New Year babies, further cementing the spirit of care and celebration that Lady Fubara sought to foster.
The mothers of the babies expressed deep appreciation for the kind gesture, thanking the First Lady and the Rivers State government for their continued support and generosity. The event was a clear reminder of the administration's dedication to healthcare and the well-being of its citizens, particularly the youngest members of society.
